up close and personal with great blue herons

THIS SIMPLY MAKES ME HAPPY. Talk about up close and personal, huh? Thanks as ever to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for letting us see such intimate views of the avian world. You may recall that the great blues like the occasional feast in my backyard frogponds, but I have a cure for that (or at least a semi-deterrent):

Bamboo!

It works for me, but not for everyone (see comments on other tactics). Running outside to scream at the bird just as he lands works, too. :)

comments

I don’t think the bamboo poles would deter a Great Blue Heron. I had on unwelcome Great Blue visit my pond and decimate my goldfish population. We tried numerous deterrents including poles and grates (Old baby crib rail, repurposed) with ongoing fish loss. Finally we netted the pond. I came out one day to find the heron walking on the net over to the center of the pond, where he speared my largest ornamental goldfish, fondly remembered as Moby for his size and pale color. The heron speared Moby through the net, but was unable to pull the fish out. They are beautiful birds but not welcome in my yard.

Hi, Diane. My pool is so little, and sort of tucked below a steep slope, and I wonder if it just looks too weird with the poles across it from above, so they stay away. I had a run of trouble year before last, and this stopped it. So sorry to hear how persistent they are at your place!

ok Margaret, when I met you last year on Long Island I forgot to ask you want I always wonder every time I visit your site, is it ” Away to garden” or ” A way to garden”, or is the answer both, because the name delights me every time I ponder the answer!!

I had this problem with our pond and sticks did NOT work. It deterred them for about 3 days until they figured it out. I did by a movement sensing water sprayer—I forget what it is called, but it did work AND was fun to see them fly away when they got sprayed…

Thanks, Joann, for the idea — I have seen those devices in catalogs I think. I think if I had fish in there (easier to see/spear than frogs) I’d be doomed. I have fish in another pool that’s hidden from the sky — the way the land curves and because of the big trees/shrubs beside it. Nobody ever seems to come hunting at that one thankfully in all these years.

Hi Margaret,
I am in the nest every morning with the blue herons, sketching and enjoying the
beauty and gentleness of these birds as they continue to build and are ever so gentle with the eggs… I use to have a blue heron decoy by my pond, worked great as they are territorial! Might want to give it a try… Now they are in the Japanese garden, no pond here in the city! :( just a water feature… I am still loving the blue heron decoys! They add much to japanese garden…Happy gardening… G

Garden Chores

March 1, 2015

an if-and-when month

BEST MARCH GARDEN ADVICE: Make like a daffodil. Poke your head up and have a look around—but be prepared to abort the mission, perhaps several times, and even get snowed on. Be nimble, ready to act of and when the forces are willing, but be patient, too, especially up North. The March chores.

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March 9, 2015

when to start seed

WHEN TO START WHAT? My seed calculator tool will help time sowings properly, no matter where you live. Don’t rush. Stout, sturdy seedlings are better than older, leggy ones for transplanting. For perspective: I don’t start tomatoes here in Zone 5B until mid-April.

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March 11, 2015

water-garden care

MUCK OUT water gardens of fallen debris at the earliest opportunity, using a net. Watch for tadpoles and salamanders and egg masses in every heap. When the weather settles, remove floating de-icers, and get pumps and filters going, following all my spring water-garden tips.

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March 17, 2015

perennial cutbacks

I CUT DOWN faded ornamental grasses before they sprout anew, and leaves of earliest bloomers like epimediums, or things that emerge fast and would prevent easy cutback, like tall sedums. Cut back evergreen groundcovers that push new leaves soon, including epimedium, hellebores, European ginger.

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March 20, 2015

peas and spinach?

I SOW PEAS (these are some varieties I love) and spinach around mid-March outdoors, if the soil allows. Some gardeners say to do it when the peepers first peep. I hope I get them in no later than the end of the first week in April, so they don’t bump too hard into summer heat at harvest time.

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March 25, 2015

pruning, pruning

I’LL FINISH fruit-tree pruning (here’s how), and start on twig willows and dogwoods, and this month or next some clematis, most roses, buddleia, Hydrangea paniculata and more. My pruning FAQ is here. Remember that if you prune early bloomers such as lilacs now, you’ll have fewer spring flowers; maybe wait until just after bloom.